Parents upset they knew nothing of custodian’s child porn charges

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CHESTERFIELD, V. (WTVR)--The Chesterfield County school system isn't saying much about the case of a suspended custodian who was arrested and charged with producing child pornography and taking indecent liberties with a child.

That's not sitting too well with parents of students at Elizabeth B. Davis Middle School. A school spokesperson tells CBS 6 News that the alleged crimes did not happen on school property and that Richard Tracy was suspended without pay after his October arrest.

CBS 6 News also has no confirmation that any children from the school were involved in any alleged crimes. Still, the arrest of the suspended custodian is top of mind for some concerned parents whose kids attend Elizabeth B. Davis Middle School.

One mom tells us she was stunned to hear that Tracy is facing these criminal charges. The story was first reported by CBS 6 news after finding out that Tracy’s wife called Chesterfield police after finding child pornography on Tracy's home computer.

"The fact that it happened, sickens me. I just wish I had caught onto it," the suspect's wife said.

Court documents obtained by CBS 6 News show the alleged crimes took place in Tracy's Harbor East Village neighborhood in Chester, not on school property.

"What he is alleged of doing regardless of where it happened, he is working around children and we parents should be aware of that. Do they just pick and choose what they want the parents to know? This is a very serious issue," one mom said.

A search warrant reveals Tracy told police that he took nude pictures of a young girl in his neighborhood; off of school property. Still, parents say they wish the school division had notified them about the arrest.

CBS 6 News legal analyst Todd Stone says there's nothing in the law that prohibits the school system from notifying parents that an employee was arrested. We asked a school spokesperson what their policy is regarding the notification of parents when an employee is charged with a crime involving children.

He referred CBS 6 to Chesterfield police for that answer. A police spokesperson said she was unable to detail the school parent notification policy.

One parent says she's just grateful the suspect's wife spoke out.

"This is her husband in this case. This is a man she loves but she was thinking of the children's well-being. I think that was very courageous on her part", her mom explained.